The door is done...

and now we wait for the verdict.  

 

My door came out exactly as i had hoped.

Finally made a snowman wreath. 

With sticks for arms...and cotton balls for snow.  I'm pretty proud of it, and i've been told it's a favorite.

Now for my coworker's doors...

This was the 12 Dogs of Christmas...9 pugs a prancing!

A giant present

A cute tree with some meaningful ornaments

Like what our agency stands for...

And something my in laws need to learn...

She's a MAJOR Flyers fan.

A minimalist approach.

Her door is titled "How to get coal in your stocking."  This poor friend's foster dog has destroyed all of these items...

A shoe, some stuffed animals, her sofa, and you see her affixing the chewed up remote control...i think she may get the sympathy vote!

This is my biggest competition.  It's so stinking cute!  Those antler head bands give it a dimensional look.

This one is super cute, but apparently her engineer husband put it up for her....we're all trying to disqualify her for it.

It's even cuter with the battery operated candles lit.

 

My artist coworker drew that Snoopy, but it's a little too similar to my door.  He was the last one to decorate, so he had lots of ideas to compare with.

 

 

First prize gets a half day off from work, but we've now decided 2nd place gets out at 2, and 3rd place gets out at 3...I'll take it!  I like my chances, but what do you think?

Anybody ever do anything like this at work?  I know Lisa's place goes all out. 

As 2012 comes to a close-this will probably be the last post before a recap of the year-i want to thank you all for reading, for commenting, for lurking, and for just hearing my bloggy voice when i hit the publish button.  You all flippin' rock!


Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, 52 mantles, fall into fall, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, tutorials and tidbits, simply link @ simply designing, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, happy hour @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming., shaken together, seasonal sundays @ the tablescaper, 

Born a Travelin' Tree

I'm noticing a lot of bloggers sharing the ornaments on their trees...and i like sharing...and i love my ornaments. My turn! My turn!

The tree, being relegated to the basement this year, is not getting its usual amount of love.  It's not been lit more than three times, it doesn't provide the nice glow and holiday feel while i watch tv, sip my wine, or read by its side.  Poor thing.  Let's give it some love.

Some of you know the boyfriend and i have been together for 15 years (just celebrated that big one last Tuesday!) but we only started collecting ornaments of our travels in recent years.  Before that, i clearly never had my own tree (being Jewish, and all) so these souvenirs do not go back that far, nor are they from my own travels. 

And this globe was the one that started it all.  We took a long weekend in Mystic, Connecticut and this old looking globe spoke to me.  To my love of travelling, to my desire to do more of it, and of course, would serve as a reminder of this mini trip.

I am suuuper obsessed with these smores ornaments. In addition to this Statue of Liberty, there are about 5 more.  And growing.  Keep 'em coming, in laws!

Hawaii, one of my absolutely favorite places we've traveled to, and Sedona, also one of the most beautiful places we've been.

Brugges!  My love of Brugge is like none else. Though we only spent 2 days there, it has made a magical, lasting impression.

Our recent trip to Aruba, with a divi divi tree hand painted by a local artist.

 

Amsterdam, symbolizing the entirety of Holland we traversed and my 30th birthday fabulousity extravaganza.  Behind it is an ornament from Tenerife, Spain.

 

Ok, this i asked for last year.  Like the globe, it reminds me of what i love to do.

We actually won a trip from a local radio station to see The Who in concert in London.  How crazy is that? 

And of course, a little love for Chanukah, on this big 'ol Christmas tree.

 

I asked for a manatee ornament this year, so we can have something to remember when we crossed "swimming with manatees" off the bucket list. 

As much as i love the themed trees that look very magazine friendly, i'll relive our travel memories any day.  What about you?  Multiple trees with different looks?  Random ornaments or single look?

I'm linking with Blah Blah Blahger's Tales from the Tree party, Traditions @ Jennifer Rizzo, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, 52 mantles, fall into fall, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, tutorials and tidbits, simply link @ simply designing, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, happy hour @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming., shaken together, seasonal sundays @ the tablescaper, 

Christmas, Christmas time is here

Can somebody tell me how it got to be only a week until Christmas?  Oy yoy yoy.  It's officially time to switch from music about latkes to music about lists.

As many of you know, i like to keep it religiously neutral in our household except for the tree and the menorah--so i'm real big on snow and wintry themes.  This also allows things to be very low key and very lazy.  Just dangle some snowflakes here and there, and bam, you're good to go all season.

Sparkly snowflakes from the dollar store, big sparkly snowflake from Country Junction General Store, pinecone Smith and Hawken ornament from Target clearance last year, and you've got yourself a snowtastic vignette.

True, let's not forget to sprinkle a little dreidel pizzaz.  The Jonathon Adler bird's gotta hold something.

Finally figured out a way to display the holiday cards with this duo from Wuslu/Decor Steals that was part of a gift code win.  Stuffed underneath the table, it reminds me of a real mantle...just instead of a fireplace below, it's cards.

 Wintry vignette behind the sofa with sweater looking flameless candles.

QVC and i are likethis.

There's no way to show you this without the tv there.  You're stuck.  And i'm stuck decorating the sides only.

Some close up shots with mercury glass owls, ornaments, and books.  And random chinese good luck cat the boyfriend brought back from Asia work trip.

You're tired of seeing the dining room, i know.  Corks, ornaments, silver candles, and pinecones in a thrift store tray for the texturey win. 

 

Loook!  Sometimes my pictures DO turn out good!

 

So of course the sunroom got all festive, with some Christmas Cactuses, a green blanket which the cats love since they insist on being out there in the cold weather, and...

 

this guy from a yard sale way back.  He's as tall as the sofa, stands on his own, and i love him.  In a very non demanding way, he demands you pay him proper winter respects. 

 

The tree is in the basement because we need to close it off from the kitten.  See that dreidel?  I love adding some Jewishness to the Christmas tree, it cracks me up, and it makes it more "ours." 

And yes, yes, yes, this is basement progress!  Carpet! Paint! TV!  Don't look too closely, because of course i will do a basement only before and after post.

So are you telling me you don't have a vintage fridge and a pile of baseboards gathered round your trees?  Yeah, clearly we're not at the "after" mark yet.

 

How bout some velvet ropes?  No?

 

However your home looks, enjoy it!

 

Celebrating the season at Christmas Hosue Tour @ The Nester,  House Tour @ Inspired Room :Tablescapes @ Stone Gable, Traditions @ Jennifer Rizzo, Vignettes @ Southern Hospitality, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, 52 mantles, fall into fall, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, tutorials and tidbits, simply link @ simply designing, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, happy hour @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming., shaken together, seasonal sundays @ the tablescaper, tablescape thurs @ between naps on the porch, xmas tablescapes @ stone gable, xmas tour @ nesting place, xmas vignettes @ a thoughtful place

 

Put on your yarmulke...

 

It's time for Chanukah.  It's not pronounced CHA-nukah, the C is silent in Chanukah!  Oh, Adam Sandler, if only your movies were as smart and funny as your Chanukah songs that we wait all year to hear!

The Festival of Lights is upon us, as Saturday marked the first night of Chanukah, so pull up a chair and prepare yourselves for a little info on the story of Chanukah and the traditions we keep.  What i'm always asked is "How do you spell Chanukah?" or why do i spell it that way instead of Hanukkah.  It's just preference, and i'm just partial to the Ch and one k. In a completely rational way, the other one seems harsher, all liney and everything, not like the nice hug of Ch.  They mean the same things and there is no right way or wrong way.

 

Menorahs are like the centerpiece of all Chanukah celebrations, as we light one candle per night for 8 nights, signifying the miracle of the oil lamp burning for 8 days when it seemed there wasn't enough for even one night. This guy in the middle, called the shamas, is used to light the other candles.  He sits higher than the others, and sometimes far apart.  He's like the king candle.  Or perhaps President Candle, since we're in a democracy and all that.  Let's note that there are like 3 ways to spell shamas, too. 

 

You see that my menorah is made of pretty flowers.  Menorahs don't need to be all serious and religious, and candles need not only be in the colors of Israel-and therefore Chanukah-in blue and white.  Candles are lit right to left, like the Hebrew alphabet is read.  So the second night's candle will go in the yellow flower on the right, and will be lit along with the shamas and the first night's candle. 

As we light each candle, we sing the prayers and thank God for latkes.  Ok, not really.  Shout out to new blog friend Doreen for the idea of displaying the candles.

After holiday sales at Bed Bath and Beyond yielded both the placemats and the napkins.  They're one of the few places to actually have decor items pertaining to Chanukah.  Some stores either have no Chanukah section (Kirklands! For shame!) or they think a bag of blue and white bows and paper goods somehow qualifies.  Because, you know, i see you all decorating for Christmas with disposable plates and napkins, right?  Wouldn't be very good for a mantel.

It's hard to tell, but the placemats have a silvery shimmer to them, like the napkins.  You'll notice the same letters appear on the dreidels below.

 

 Playing dreidel is pretty much gambling.  As an adult, i'm wondering why we encourage this, but who am i to question years of tradition. That guy facing up means i'd have to give half my stash (money, chocolates) to the pot.  I'm super cheap and a little selfish, so we rarely played that way.

 

My brother and i always liked to see how many we could get spinning at once.  I think the record might be a whopping three.  This is especially difficult with cats.

 

 

Also difficult with cats is doing anything for the blog without them interrupting.  Silly Lily.  This is why i choose my cats to match my decor.  Kidding.



On the last night, next Saturday, this is what your menorah will look like.  Remember, you will be lighting the guy in the middle (head honcho) and you will use him to light the rest, starting at the right.  As far as the 8 gifts go, as children we would get little things, like movie tickets, or even just chocolates after lighting the candles.  As adults, my mom and i have a tradition of the theatre subscription that allows us to meet in Phildelphia for lunch and a show, and enjoy Chanukah/birthday presents all year long.

 

Me to Lily: Get away, this isn't a toy.

 

Me to Lily: Well crap, technically it is a toy.

Me to Lily: But it isn't your toy.

 

Me to Lily: And it is most certainly NOT food.

Don't worry, no animals were harmed in the creating of this post.  I actually couldn't believe Sunday stayed off the table.

 

Now where are those latkes?!

 

 

Happy Chanukah!

 

I'm enjoying this while i still can.

 

Thank you Debbie Doos, Craftberry Bush, and Serenity Now for featuring my pinecone holiday table.  Heck yeah.

 

 

Celebrating the season at :Tablescapes @ Stone Gable, Traditions @ Jennifer Rizzo, Vignettes @ Southern Hospitality, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, tabletop tues, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, 52 mantles, fall into fall, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, tutorials and tidbits, simply link @ simply designing, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, happy hour @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove,  show and tell fri @ my romantic home, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming., shaken together, seasonal sundays @ the tablescaper, tablescape thurs @ between naps on the porch, xmas tablescapes @ stone gable, xmas tour @ nesting place, xmas vignettes @ a thoughtful place